Best Fastpitch Softball Bat for Power Hitters – Reviews & Guideline for 2020

Do you play fastpitch softball and you consider yourself a power hitter? If that’s the case, you’re going to need the best fastpitch softball bat for power hitters. An ordinary bat just won’t do.

Unlike contact hitters who tend to be the fast and compact players, power hitters tend to be huge, strong, and muscular. These are the hitters who tend to hit after the contact hitters. Once the contact hitters get on base, the power hitters can hit the ball strong enough to advance the players on base, or maybe even get them home. These power hitters are also more likely to hit a home run—and everyone gets to home base then.

Benefits of Using the Ideal Bat for Power Hitters

The bat for power hitters needs to factor in the characteristics of a typical power hitter. These power hitters are generally stronger, which means they’re able to control a bat that smaller players may not be able to handle as well. But these bats are able to generate more force, which really lets these players whack the ball farther.

The greater force imparted on the ball offers several benefits. The first one is that as a power hitter you’re able to drive in runs. Even if you hit a fly ball, it can still end up as a sacrifice fly if it’s far enough and there’s a runner on 3rd base. If there’s a runner on s2nd base, they can get to home plate more comfortably if you get a hit. Even runners on 1st base can get to home plate, especially if you hit at least a double.

You’re also able to get more extra-base hits, and that makes you more likely to score a run for your team if you’re on 2nd or 3rd base.

Of course, as a power hitter you can also help your team by hitting more homeruns. That’s especially useful with runners on base!

1. DeMarini 2020 CF Fastpitch Bat Series

This is a great bat to start this list, since the design here seems like the bat itself is bulging with solid muscles. That’s just apt for power hitters, who tend to sport huge muscles of their own.

First of all, this comes with a balanced weight distribution. That seems counter-intuitive, but then again you can’t drive a ball farther if you’re unable to make contact in the first place. This will help with that issue, since the balanced weight distribution makes this bat much easier to control. That means you can take a full mean swing, and it goes where you want the barrel of the bat to go.

Because of the Paraflex+ composite material used for the barrel, this has a large sweet spot. That means you have a bigger area on your bat where you can hit the ball and really give it a whack.

This is a 2-piece bat, and the 2 pieces are connected by what DeMarini calls their 3Fusion system. This connection system ensures the proper weight distribution of the ball so you’re able to control it better.

Also, this connection redirects the energy upon impact back through the barrel and to the ball. That means you as a power hitter can make use of all that energy to really hit that ball hard. That also means the energy won’t travel through the barrel as vibrations that can really sting your hands.

The ReAction end cap also helps in boosting the power and performance of the barrel. At the same time, you don’t have to deal with any reduction of the swing speed. You get a fast bat with terrific bat control, and that’s always a good thing for a power hitter.

This is available in drops of -11 and -10. The length sizes range from 28 inches to 34 inches, depending on which drop you go for.

Key Features

Looks tough enough to maybe intimidate opposing pitchers

Has a large sweet spot to increase the chances of hitting the ball perfectly

Sends back the impact energy through the barrel and onto the ball for greater force

2. Easton The All-New Dual Stamp Ghost Double Barrel (2020)

Often the newest models are the best, since you get to enjoy the latest innovations in bat technology. In fact, some bats are so good that they’re banned from play.

That shouldn’t be a problem here, because you have the official certifications to prove that your bat is legally permissible to use. This bat is legal for just about everywhere. This has certifications for USSSA Fastpitch, USA/ASA, ISA, NSA, and ISF.

This is available in several drops, so you can go with -8, -9, -10, or -11. Whichever you choose, it’ll be fantastic. This bat is so good that Bat Digest named this their High School Bat of the Year for 2020.

As a hitter, you’ll be excited by the pop and feel of the new “Double Barrel” design for the bat. The XTX Xtra Tough Resin Matrix technology used here is a doozy too. It helps with the durability of the bat, so that you can use it for an entire season. But this technology also lowers the compression of the barrel, making it more flexible and elastic. That means that the softball bounces on the bat like a child bounces off a trampoline.

This is a 2-piece bat, and it’s naturally more flexible than a 1-piece bat. Its Connexion +technology uses special Nitrocell foam to lighten the connection between handle and barrel. It feels lighter, and much better.

Part of the good feel you’ll have when you hold this is due to the thinness of the handle. It measures only 29/32 of an inch in diameter. Your hold on the bat also feels more secure with the 1.2mm Hyperskin grip around the handle. This terrific grip lets you hold the bat with more confidence, as your fingers won’t slip.

Key Features

Nice balanced weight that makes the bat easier to control

Legal for just about every fastpitch softball league (USSSA Fastpitch, USA/ASA, ISA, NSA, and ISF)

3. DeMarini 2020 Prism (-11, -10) Fastpitch Bat Series

DeMarini claims that their Prism bat is the best-performing bat in the market today. That may seem like typical marketing hyperbole, except that the DeMarini brand is famous for its innovative technology. They don’t make claims without having the tech to back them up.

This offers a drop of either -11 or -10, with a barrel measuring 2¼ inches. Their new technology (dubbed the “Gapped Wall” tech) has 2 separate walls working together for terrific performance. The resulting sweet spot is huge. DeMarini then used a sheet of tough composite rolled all around the barrel for a lightweight design with no breaks whatsoever.

This offers a nice balanced weight, ensured by their 3Fusion Connection system. This sends back the impact forces through the barrel and to the ball, which makes your efforts as a power hitter much more productive. This also saves your hands from stinging, as it keeps the vibration away from the handle.

This also features the Refract end cap, which helps you swing the bat quickly. That lets you react to the pitches, and the faster swing means a greater force on the ball when you make contact.

Is this legal for your fastpitch softball league? If your league allows bats approved for ASA, ISA, ISF, NSA and USSSA, then feel free to use this.

4. EASTON GHOST -11 ASA Fastpitch Softball Bat (2019)

Okay, so we already listed the new 202 Ghost from Easton on this list? So why still include this old bat here? This remains a great choice because it has proved itself as a great bat this last season. Also, as it’s no longer the latest model you can expect some discounts in the price.

Just make sure that it is legal to use. For some leagues, it is just too good. That’s why it’s only approved for ISF and ASA leagues. If it is legal to use, then just go for it and find out why some feel that it’s unfair to use.

One of the reasons for the superiority of this 2019 model is that it already features the vaunted Double Barrel technology. This means you have a soft outer barrel along with an inner barrel with an extremely low compression. The low compression coupled with the soft outer barrel gives the bat its trampoline effect—the softball will seem to bounce from the bat with great energy when you make contact.

Just because this has a soft barrel doesn’t mean its fragile. You actually have premium carbon-fiber composite here for the barrel and the handle. DeMarini calls this material their XTX, which is shorthand for Xtra Tough Matrix. This material is also tough enough that you don’t need to break in the bat at all. It’s ready to rock right out of the wrapper.

The handle and barrel are separate, and they’re held together by the DeMarini Connexion technology. This connection system also helps with the great feel of the bat. In addition, this system keeps out the vibration resulting from mishits away from the handle, and thus away from your hands.

Your hands will also enjoy holding on to the Hyperskin grip on this handle. It’s also very thin for easier control, as the handle measures just 29/32 of an inch.

Try this out, and as a power hitter you’ll love the oomph this bat gives you. In fact, with this bat you can be a contact hitter who can drive the ball just as hard (and maybe even more frequently) as the power hitters.

Key Features

Double Barrel tech offers a trampoline effect on the ball

No need to break in the bat

2-piece design help together by Connexion tech that minimizes hand stinging

5. DeMarini 2019 CF Zen (-11) Fastpitch Bat

With a drop of -11, this is certainly among the lightest bats for softball. You want to avoid the heavier bats if your kid is still growing and just starting to learn the game. But what if you’re a power hitter? How exactly is a lightweight bat going to help you?

Let’s check that out by first inspecting the barrel. It’s made from the DeMarini Paraflex+ composite material, and it expands the sweet spot to cover 360 degrees of the barrel.

Then you have the 3Fusion connection system that combines the barrel with the handle. This system ensures the balanced weight distribution, so you get more control. Also, it gives you that pop and distance you want for your hitting because it sends back the impact force right through the barrel and to the softball. It doesn’t go to the handle which leads to stinging your hands.

All in all, this gives you the bat control you want that lets you make contact even when you take a huge swing. That huge swing leads to stronger hits that can get you beyond 1st base. With this, power hitters can turn in more hits. Even contact hitters can get some impressive hits that they may even be considered power hitters themselves.

Use this for hitting in leagues where it’s legal. Its legality isn’t really an issue though, since it is approved for play for ASA, USSSA, ISA, NSF & NSA leagues. As this is the 2019 model, its features and advantages have been thoroughly confirmed over the past season. This is proven technology, and now it’s even more affordable than ever.

Key Features

Legal for ASA, USSSA, ISA, NSF & NSA

Balanced weight for terrific bat control

-11 drop, which makes it the lightest bat in the DeMarini lineup

Sweet spot spans 360 degrees of the barrel

Connection system redirects the energy back to the barrel and softball

6. Mizuno Finch Jennie Fastpitch Softball Bat

Now if you’re in need of a lightweight bat, you really need to check this out. The Japanese have long been in love with baseball and softball, and they make game equipment with the same dedication of a master swordsmith.

This particular bat is designed for young, new players, and that’s evident with its -13 drop. You can argue that this bat can turn youngsters into power hitters. That’s because it’s made to offer a terrific feel, and batters can enjoy greater control over their bat. This means the bat will go where the batters aim at, and these batters can take a full swing while maintaining control.

It does help that this bat is made with a lightweight MZ-2200+ alloy that’s also quite durable. Even the cushioned grip adds to your comfort. The weight balance here is also slightly heavy at the end. Plenty of young players have already demonstrated this bat’s propensity to add distance to your hits.

Finally, this bat was also designed in partnership with Jenni Finch. Do you really think that this Olympic gold medalist and the person called by Time magazine as “the most famous softball player in history” would allow here name to be used for a bad bat?

7. DeMarini 2019 Bustos (-13) 2¼” Fastpitch Bat

One nice thing about buying a 2109 bat in 2020 is that you don’t have to trust promises. Now you know whether or not the promises a brand made in 2019 were actually kept. You know if a bat is as good as the makers say, as you have an entire season to check out how the bat did.

With the 2019 Bustos from DeMarini, you now know this is a great bat. It’s extremely lightweight with its -13 drop, which makes this terrific for smaller youngsters. But its pop also makes this suitable for power hitters. Besides, its lower weight leads to better bat control and greater bat speed.

This is a 2-piece bat with the Paradox composite material for the barrel. It’s very responsive, and it has a soft surface that gives it an elastic, bouncy performance. This is combined with the DX1 Alloy material in the D-Lite handle, which gives you a nice, balanced feel while enabling you to swing the bat more quickly.

Finally, there’s the Big D end cap design. Plenty of players during the last year have commented that this end cap really minimizes the hand sting due to vibrations traveling down the barrel. With this, you’re able to keep your hands pain-free. That means you’re more confident when you take a swing, and that confidence leads to better performance.

This is legal to use in many leagues, as it is certified for ASA, ISA, ISF, NSA, USSSA. With its solid proven performance, you really ought to try this. In addition, this isn’t the latest bat model anymore, and that means it’s not as expensive.

8. Louisville Slugger 2019 LXT X19 (-11) Fastpitch Bat

Plenty of power hitters like their bats to give them the kind of pop they need for long distances in their hits. That’s the kind of pop you get with this 2019 LXT X19 from Louisville Slugger.

It’s proven itself over the last season with its terrific performance. Plenty of parents have proudly confirmed that with this bat, their kids have hit farther than they ever had before. This means it has the pop and performance that a power hitter needs.

As a 2019 model, you might also think that you’re able to get significant discounts with this model. That’s not really true, but that’s mainly because it comes with modern features that carry over to the latest models. Also, the demand for this is still high so the price doesn’t drop that much.

Lots of batters love the PBF barrel here, and this patented material really offers great pop. You don’t even have to break this in to get the performance you want. It also offers you a huge sweet spot, so you’re more likely to hit the pitch solidly.

This also comes with VCX technology, which connects the barrel to the handle. This feature minimizes the vibrations that travel through the bat, which means you won’t have to worry too much about your hands stinging after mishits.

On the handle, you have the LS Pro Comfort Grip which was brand-new when it came out in 2019. Now a year later and everyone knows how it offers just the ideal mix of comfort and tack to give you what every batter wants—perfect control over their bat.

Even the X-Cap end cap with its lightweight design offers a significant boost for the bat’s performance. The design enhances the swing speed, and it also makes the bat a lot more durable.

The overall weight balance here is considered not just balanced, but “power balanced”. That means it’s balanced enough to give you nice control, but the weight distribution also offers a lot more zing that power hitters crave.

Key Features

-11 drop

PBF barrel offers terrific pop with a huge sweet spot

The VCX connection technology offers great feel when you make contact, plus it minimizes the vibrations that can sting your hands

The LS Pro Comfort Grip on the handle combines comfort and tack to provide the ultimate control over the bat

9. Louisville Slugger 2018 PXT -10 Fast Pitch Bat

Now for a proven design, you certainly can go with a 2018 model with 2 years of proof of how good it really is. When Louisville Slugger first came out with this model, it was their most advanced bat for elite players. The new tech here is still great for the current season, as its technology remains modern.

Take note that this is also the PXT model. The “P” in PXT stands for power, and that’s what you get when you make contact with the ball. The weight distribution for the bat is labeled as “power balance”. This means it’s nicely balanced for control, yet there’s still a slight end-loaded weight here that makes you feel like you hit the ball with a powerful hammer.

Among its most notable features is the PWR STAX Barrel, which distributes the impact force across the whole barrel upon contact. This lets your bat deal with the impact force nicely, and should help the bat endure an entire season of powerful hits.

With this 2-piece bat, you also have the venerable TRU3 technology to connect the pieces. This connection system offers a great feel when you make contact with the ball. Also, it keeps the vibrations produced by mishits from reaching the handle and stinging your hands.

This also comes with the X-cap end cap. It may be super-lightweight, but this tech enhances the durability of the bat while it improves the swing speed.

Try this for USSA, ASA, NSA, ISA, and ISF leagues and you’ll see just how well you can hit the ball for distance. For power hitters, this offers a great combo of power and control.

10. 2018 Anderson Rocketech (-9) Fastpitch Softball Bat

Sometimes it seems strange to list a 2018 bat in a list of “best bats” when it’s already 2020. Aren’t the newest bats always better? That’s not always true, and some older bats have already proven their worth that they deserve a closer look. That’s true with the 2018 Anderson Rocketech.

This has a -9, which means it has more weight for its length. In the 34-inch bat, that means it weighs a heft 25 ounces. Furthermore, the weight is mostly at the end of the bat. It feels like you’re swinging a hammer, which means you’re basically nailing the ball when you hit it.

You can swing away without any worries whatsoever. There’s no break-in needed, so don’t worry that the bat won’t be at its best right out of the wrapper. It’s also no trouble for power hitters to control. The grip is comfortable to hold, while it’s thin enough to help you generate the bat speed you need.

Worried about sting your hands after a mishit? The flex cap is designed to reduce the vibrations that can sting your hands. Don’t think about damaging your bat either if you hit the ball too often, as the alloy and the double wall design have made this bat one of the most durable in the Anderson lineup.

You don’t even have worry about whether you’re allowed to use a bat this good. This is certified for all major associations for fastpitch softball.

Things to Consider Before Buying The Best Fastpitch Softball Bat for Power Hitters

It’s not always easy to determine which bat is perfect for a particular power hitter. Often it is very subjective—it depends on how the batter feels when using the bat. This is crucial, since how you feel about the bat affects your confidence, which in turn affects your performance. It’s no coincidence that if the bat feels nice, then you’re able to hit farther and with greater frequency.

So how can you know how a bat feels before you buy it? You should try to get one first in your hands. Visit a sporting goods store to try out their softball bats to see how you feel about them. Maybe you can also borrow the bats used by your friends and teammates.

You may also want to check put the following factors:

The Drop

This indicates the weight of a bat relative to how long it is. If you have a -13 drop, that means that if the bat is 30 inches long then it will weigh 17 ounces. If it has a -8 drop, then it will be heavier at 22 ounces.

Proper Length and Weight

There are online guides that can suggest the right length and weight of a bat relative to the height and weight of a player. But in the end, it still depends greatly on how you feel about the bat.

Just keep in mind that you want a lightweight bat for better control. It’s harder to control a bat that’s too heavy for you. At the same time, it can’t be too lightweight. Without the mass, you’re not able to impact as much force on the ball when you hit it.

Brand

It’s not really brand snobbery when you limit your search to famous brands such as DeMarini, Mizuno, Louisville Slugger, and Easton. These brands have all earned excellent reputations over the decades, and they tend to produce fantastic bats year after year.

Weight Distribution

An end-loaded bat can give you the greatest force when you hit the softball. The main issue is that these bats are also very difficult to control. That’s especially true for younger hitters. That’s why it may be best to go with a well-balanced bat. You’re able to make contact, and this type of bat can also allow for a faster swing speed to let you hit for distance.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the “sweet spot”?

This is the area in the barrel that generates the best impact on the ball.

Why do the hands sting when you make contact using the bat?

That’s because you made contact outside the sweet spot. This results in vibrations that travel through the barrel and the handle, and these vibrations then sting your hands.

What’s the most common softball bat weight for adults?

The 28-ounce bat is the most popular for adults.

Why are bats for fastpitch softball lighter?

That’s because the pitch speeds are faster, and you need a faster swing speed to compensate. You get a faster swing speed with a lighter bat.

Conclusion

If you’re determined to hit homers and extra-base hits, you need the best fastpitch softball bat for power hitters. Just remember that you need both power and control. The power is great to really whack the ball, but you need control to make contact with the softball!